P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Former Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug has backed Lewis Hamilton to retrieve the “stolen” eighth F1 he lost in 2021 during his stint with Ferrari.
After completing pre-season testing, the F1 paddock is gearing up to head to Australia next week to kick off a 24-round calendar, marking Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari. Hamilton, a seven-time World Champion, departed the Silver Arrows after 12 seasons to make his highly anticipated debut in red on the streets of Melbourne. Haug, the former head of Mercedes’ motorsport activities, played a role in Hamilton’s career during the original McLaren-Mercedes engine partnership. Toto Wolff, the current Mercedes team boss, succeeded Haug in 2012 and reconnected with Hamilton during the driver’s farewell tour, expressing mixed feelings about the switch. Despite Haug’s disappointment in Hamilton leaving Mercedes, he believes in Hamilton’s capability to secure an eighth Drivers’ title with Ferrari, emphasizing the driver’s determination and work ethic. Reflecting on the setbacks Mercedes faced since the controversial 2021 season, Haug highlighted the challenges the team encountered post-title loss but remains optimistic about the team’s performance, echoing their past successes. As Mercedes unveiled the W16 for testing in Bahrain, Haug expressed confidence in the team’s competitiveness in 2025, showcasing a forward-looking approach despite Lewis Hamilton’s departure.
